Science Without Borders UK
13 July 2012
Doing business in Brazil? The Science Without Borders scheme by UK universities may be of interest to you. It is administered nationally by the UK Higher Education International Unit and locally by Aberdeen, Cranfield, Southampton, Newcastle and Strathclyde Universities. The Brazilian government is funding each scholarship up to a maximum of £15,000 and there are opportunities for companies, or groups of companies, to identify and sponsor suitable research programmes. There are also opportunities for companies to offer 3-month placements to Brazilian students.
Introduction
Science Without Borders is a Brazilian Government scholarship programme which aims to send 100,000 Brazilian students on undergraduate sandwich courses, PhD sandwich courses and full PhDs to study in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and creative industries at top universities around the world.
This ground-breaking initiative, which is administered by two Brazilian higher education agencies (CAPES and CNPq) will see the UK welcome up to 10,000 Brazilian students over the next four years.
Scholarships Available
There are three types of scholarship available:
1) Sandwich undergraduate courses (12 months) – students will spend 12 months in the UK on sandwich undergraduate courses. This will include nine months in a classroom and three months on an industrial placement or being supervised by the university to undertake an industrial project. We are looking for businesses to provide industrial placements on-site or to sponsor an industry-linked project at the university.
2) Sandwich PhD scholarships (12 months) – these scholarships are for Brazilian postgraduate students to come to the UK to study for a sandwich PhD course. They will spend 12 months carrying out research relevant to their PhD focus. We are looking for businesses to sponsor, supervise or co-supervise an industry-linked project at the students’ university. We can work with interested parties to identify students undertaking research that aligns with their business priorities.
3) Full PhD scholarships (up to four years) – these scholarships are for Brazilian postgraduate students to study a PhD at a UK university for up to four years. We are looking for businesses to sponsor full PhD scholarship students and can work with interested parties to identify students undertaking research that aligns with the priorities of their business.
Benefits for Business and Industry
Research and innovation is key to our global economic future. Investing in cutting-edge research and development with bring substantial returns for business and industry:
·Working with the scientists of the future – only the most talented Brazilian students participate in the Science Without Borders programme. As well as helping to nurture talent, you will have the opportunity to establish working relationships with the leading scientists of the future.
·Giving you a competitive edge – funding world-class, cutting-edge research that aligns with the priorities of your business.
·Networking opportunities – as well as making contacts with leading universities both in the UK and Brazil, many students will also go on to work in leading Brazilian research institutions, giving your business enhanced networking opportunities.
·High-level promotional opportunities for your business – your involvement in this high-profile scholarship programme, which is supported at the highest levels of UK and Brazil governments, will enable you to promote your business in Brazil and the UK.
Case Study: BG Group
BG Group recently announced a landmark investment of up to US$1000 million (£64,300,000) to support the Science Without Borders programme. "These extraordinary fellowships will harness Brazil’s best technical talent and create international scientific research which will bring benefits not only to the academic community but to businesses and the wider Brazilian society. This is about building a long term knowledge economy in Brazil that will continue to attract international investment and grow sustainably.”
- Nelson Silva, BG Brasil President
Case Study: Petrobras
Brazilian state-run oil giant, Petrobras, will contribute approximately £100 million to the Science Without Borders scholarship program. Petrobras will grant 5,000 scholarships to support undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students.
Further Information
The UK HE International Unit is keen to work with companies interested in supporting Science Without Borders UK. Please contact Tania Lima, Programme Director on +44 (0)20 7419 5618 (tania.lima@international.ac.uk).
The contact for Aberdeen is Prof. Albert Rodger (a.a.rodger@abdn.ac.uk).
The contact for Cranfield is Prof. Feargal Brennan (f.brennan@cranfield.ac.uk)
For further information, please visit the Science Without Borders website.
